Nineteen years ago, our nation suffered devastating attacks that took from us many beautiful and innocent lives.

No words can ever truly erase the pain of their absence, but we can honor them by coming together during these turbulent times, to demonstrate how deep and strong the American spirit truly is.

It is important to highlight how we as Americans came together despite the magnitude of the tragedy — we came together unlike any time I could remember. For a while, we were all drawn close by the sudden and all too real feeling that our country, and all that which defines us, was fragile and worth defending.

Our country is still worth defending.

To continue forward, we should continue the necessary push for unity and remind ourselves what we gain when we work together. There is much more that binds humans together than what pushes us apart.